Regional Hill Grades

Gleaned, extrapolated, calculated and compiled by Hank Schiffman using data from the map of The Central Park by George Colbert & Guenter Vollath for Greensward Foundation/Friends of Central Park (1994) and TOPO! Northeastern USA by National Geographic. Some data was measured on site using a Polar S710 monitor with altimeter function and a cycle computer.

Please note that % grades vary in how they reflect the true climb. Shorter distances are less accurately measured. Changes in grade are also guilty of giving unrepresentative values. Full ascents that have numerous false summits of the Arden Valley Road ilk have been omitted, as their average has no meaning. A few attempts have been made to wring out a virtual average grade by subtracting flat spots on some climbs. These have been designated “distance adjusted minus flats.” Although they reflect the essential climbing grades, they also “let up,” thus not reflecting these values on a sustained climb.